Railway-flag.



No. 633,450. Patented Sept. l9, I899.

A. H. HANDLAN, JR.

RAILWAY FLAG. (Applieationv filed. Apr. 19, 1899.)

(No Model.)

fiim WE EW- UNiTEn STATES PATENT Enron.

ALEXANDER II. IIANDLAN, JR, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

RAl LWAY-FLAG SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 633,450,dated September 19, 1899.

Application filed April 19, 1899. Serial No. 713,566 (No model.)

, which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to a signal to be attached to a car or locomotiveto serve the purpose for which a fabric flag carried by a carorlocomotive has heretofore usually been employed.

My invention consists in featurs of novelty hereinafter fully described,and pointed out in the claims.

Figure I is a perspective view of my improved signal. Fig. II is a sideView showing a modification. Fig. III illustrates another modification.

1 represents the flag, which is in the form of a metallic plate andwhich is painted the color to suit the signal it is intended to display.

2 is a bracket connected to the flag and having a T-head 2, which isreceived by a socket 3, such as is now used on the rear ends of cars andon locomotives to support a signal-lantern. The socket may be of thewellknown form shown in Fig. I or of the wellknown form shown in Fig.II. The bracket has a hinged or pivotal connection with the flag, and mypreferred construction is that shown in Fig. I, wherein the shank I ofthe bracket is provided with perforated ears 5 to receive a pin orpintle 6, that passes also through ears 7, formed on straps 8, securedby rivets 9 or otherwise to the flag. Surrounding the pintle-are coiledsprings 11, (four are shown in Figs. I and II,) the ends of which areextended and bear, respectively, against the flag and against the shank4, as shown. These springs hold the flag normally in line with the shankof the bracket, yet permit it to oscillate or yield under atmospheric orother pressure, so that it will not be broken or distorted. In Fig. II,I show a connecting-bar 10 between the straps, against which the flapends of the spring bear.

In Fig. III, I have shown the use of a single spring 12. It is securedby one end to the bracket or flag, and its other end has a slotand-pinconnection 13 with the other member, so that the spring tends to holdthe flag in its extended position, while allowing it to move in eitherdirection when meeting with resistance.

I claim as my invention- 1. A railway-signal comprising a bracket havinga T-head and a shank formed with perforated ears, 2. flag, straps havingperforated ears and secured to the flag, apin passing through theperforated ears to provide a hinged joint between the shank and theflag, and a spring bearing on the shank at one end and bracing the flagat the other end; substantially as described. 7

2. The combination of a metallic flag provided with perforated ears, abracket, a socket adapted to receive the bracket, a shank on the bracketprovided with perforated cars, a pin passing through said perforatedears and serving to connect the flag to the shank of the bracket, andsprings surrounding said pin and having extended ends bearing againstsaid shank and flag respectively, substantially as set forth.

ALEXANDER H. HANDLAN, JR.

In presence of E. S. KNIGHT, G. A. TAUBERSOHMIDT.

